Vintage Tastings (93)

The Lafite had a bit of volatile acidity to it, but some nice pencil, cedar and roasted fruit behind it. It was tender and slightly rich in the mouth, with a leathery finish.

Wine Advocate (72)

One of the charming 1973s, this light, somewhat watery, thin wine has Lafite's classic perfumed bouquet, short, compact, agreeable flavors, and little tannin. That was in 1980, the last time I tasted it. Anticipated maturity: Now-probably in serious decline. Last tasted, 12/80.

Wine Advocate (72)

One of the charming 1973s, this light, somewhat watery, thin wine has Lafite's classic perfumed bouquet, short, compact, agreeable flavors, and little tannin. That was in 1980, the last time I tasted it. Anticipated maturity: Now-probably in serious decline. Last tasted, 12/80.

Wine Advocate (92)

Why is it that Lafite-Rothschild is often so distressingly irregular from bottle to bottle? Much of the inconsistency during the sixties and mid-seventies can be explained by the relaxed bottling schedule, which saw the wines blended and bottled over an unusually long period (12+ months, compared to the estate's modern day bottling operation that never takes longer than 2-4 weeks). I have had some great bottles of the 1975 Lafite, most of them in the wine's first 15 years of life. Since then, I have seen wines that appeared cooked and stewed, with a Barolo tar-like aroma, as well as others with the classic Pauillac, lead-pencil, cedar, cassis, and tobacco aromatic dimension. The 1975 is a powerful Lafite, and troublesome bottles tend to reveal more tannin and funkiness than others, which have a roasted character, combined with a gravelly, mineral underpinning. As this wine has aged, it appears to be less of a sure bet. In most cases, it has been an outstanding wine, as the bottle tasted in December suggested. The aromatics indicate the wine is fully mature, but the tough tannin level clearly underscores the dark side of the 1975 vintage. This wine will undoubtedly last for another 30+ years, but I am not sure the fruit will hold. It is a perplexing wine that may still turn out to be an exceptional Lafite. In contrast, the 1976 has always been much more forward and consistent. However, I would still take the 1975 over the overrated, mediocre 1970, 1966, and 1961.

Wine Advocate (93)

The 1976 Lafite clearly stands far above the crowd in this vintage. A beautiful bouquet of seductive cedarwood, spices, and ripe fruit precedes a very concentrated, darkly colored wine, with great length and texture. Some amber is just beginning to appear at the edge. The 1976 has turned out to be the best Lafite of the '70s. It is gorgeous to drink at present. Anticipated maturity: Now-2005. Last tasted, 9/96.

Wine Spectator (94)

Beautiful deep-garnet color, with classic Médoc flavors of plum, spice, earth and mineral. Tannic, well-balanced, mouth-filling, chewy in its intensity but needs time. Drinkable now, but probably better to wait until about 1998.--Lafite Rothschild vertical. -

Wine Spectator (94)

Beautiful deep-garnet color, with classic Médoc flavors of plum, spice, earth and mineral. Tannic, well-balanced, mouth-filling, chewy in its intensity but needs time. Drinkable now, but probably better to wait until about 1998.--Lafite Rothschild vertical. -

Wine Spectator (92)

Fruity, deep and firm, filled with plum and cherry, backed by youthful, stiff tannins. Needs time for complexity to develop. Try in 1995.--Lafite Rothschild vertical. -

Decanter (100)

A demure yet confident beauty, the 1982 Lafite is in its prime and will delight anyone privy to an audience. Scents of tobacco, sandalwood and spice box waft with increasing intensity as this sits in the glass, then it floats across the palate leaving a persistent trail of stony minerals: flint and graphite along with preserved cherries are laced with sweet, smoky incense, and radiant acidity gives a perception of weightlessness while shedding light on the wine’s depths. So effortlessly and elegantly framed, and as exquisitely perfect as this is now, there is nothing to suggest it will fade any time soon.

Decanter (100)

A demure yet confident beauty, the 1982 Lafite is in its prime and will delight anyone privy to an audience. Scents of tobacco, sandalwood and spice box waft with increasing intensity as this sits in the glass, then it floats across the palate leaving a persistent trail of stony minerals: flint and graphite along with preserved cherries are laced with sweet, smoky incense, and radiant acidity gives a perception of weightlessness while shedding light on the wine’s depths. So effortlessly and elegantly framed, and as exquisitely perfect as this is now, there is nothing to suggest it will fade any time soon.

Decanter (100)

A demure yet confident beauty, the 1982 Lafite is in its prime and will delight anyone privy to an audience. Scents of tobacco, sandalwood and spice box waft with increasing intensity as this sits in the glass, then it floats across the palate leaving a persistent trail of stony minerals: flint and graphite along with preserved cherries are laced with sweet, smoky incense, and radiant acidity gives a perception of weightlessness while shedding light on the wine’s depths. So effortlessly and elegantly framed, and as exquisitely perfect as this is now, there is nothing to suggest it will fade any time soon.

Wine Advocate (84)

The personality of Lafite comes through in the 1984 vintage. An elegant bouquet of herbaceous, cedary fruit is first class. New oak dominates the palate and some hard tannins exhibit a dryness at the finish. The 1984 is a light but well-balanced wine. Anticipated maturity: Now. Last tasted, 1/88.

Jane Anson Inside Bordeaux (100)

The tannins remain evident, fully in tact, and overall this 1986 is young, profound, full of spiced herbs and freshly turned-over earth. It needs time in the bottle or carafe, because although there is more evident charm in the 1985 on first opening, this is the vintage of the pair that will be around for the longest. Dense black fruits abound, along with cigar box, black tea and slate. In its youth it was described as tannic, solid, almost austere, and it is astonishing how it has kept that character over the decades. There are still nuaces here that will be revealed over the decades to come, so be sure to give it time to unwind if you are opening any time over the next decade. 45hl/h yield. The famous Ricardo Bofill circular cellar was under construction at this point.

Jane Anson Inside Bordeaux (100)

The tannins remain evident, fully in tact, and overall this 1986 is young, profound, full of spiced herbs and freshly turned-over earth. It needs time in the bottle or carafe, because although there is more evident charm in the 1985 on first opening, this is the vintage of the pair that will be around for the longest. Dense black fruits abound, along with cigar box, black tea and slate. In its youth it was described as tannic, solid, almost austere, and it is astonishing how it has kept that character over the decades. There are still nuaces here that will be revealed over the decades to come, so be sure to give it time to unwind if you are opening any time over the next decade. 45hl/h yield. The famous Ricardo Bofill circular cellar was under construction at this point.

Wine Spectator (97)

The great first-growth estate produced a wine with amazing length in this new vintage. Goes on and on, with mint, plum and cassis aromas and flavors and ultrafine tannins. A superb Bordeaux. Best after 1999. 25,000 cases made.

Wine Advocate (86)

Lafite's light-bodied 1991 possesses moderate ruby color, a solid innercore of fruit, as well as potentially excessive tannin for its size and constitution. The wine exhibits Lafite's subtle personality with a leafy, tobacco, lead pencil nose intertwined with sweet aromas of cassis. Dry, austere, and lacking length, it should turn out to be a good representation of Lafite-Rothschild in this so-so year.

Wine Spectator (89)

A real achievement for the vintage, boasting plenty of fruit, tobacco and dark chocolate character. Full-bodied and velvety; impressive richness of ripe tannins. Better in 1997. -JS

James Suckling (91)

Aromas of peat and fruits, with hints of cedar and berries. Full and velvety with good fruit and a medium finish. Goes mushroomy. A little light.